A Conversation With Steve Daveluy, MD, FAAD
Dr Steve Daveluy is a professor and program director at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He earned a bachelor’s in science degree from Michigan State University and completed medical school and his dermatology residency at Wayne State University. He holds special interests in teledermatology, non-invasive skin imaging, skin of color, integrative dermatology, and complex medical dermatology, including hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Dr Daveluy is active on American Academy of Dermatology committees, including MIPS Value Pathway and DataDerm Oversight. He is the past president of the Wayne County Medical Society and Michigan Dermatological Society. He serves on the HS Foundation board of directors and the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) editorial board and is an associate editor for JAAD Case Reports and co-chief editor of the Journal of Integrative Dermatology. He lives across the border in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with his husband and 2 very spoiled dogs.
Q. What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
A. The part of my work that gives me the most pleasure is the fulfillment I get helping patients with serious and severe skin diseases like HS take control of their disease and get their lives back.
I love asking patients what they hope to do when their disease is under control and not getting in their way. When we accomplish that, and the patient tells me about getting back to the things they love, there is no greater feeling.
Q. What is the best thing that has happened to you in the past 6 months?
A. The Colombian Association of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery invited me to speak at their annual meeting. It feels amazing to have people consider me an international expert, and I am really humbled. It was an amazing conference and an outstanding trip. I was so grateful for the opportunity to experience Medellin, Colombia. It was also thrilling to meet and network with other speakers and experts from around the world.
Q. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
A. Being invited to speak to patients with HS at meetings put on by HS patient organizations. I have a passion for patient education and advocacy, and it really feels amazing when patient advocates put their trust and confidence in me to educate patients.
Q. What has been your greatest disappointment?
A. When I first began in my role as residency program director, there was a steep learning curve. For the first few years, I grew a lot, and I will admit, I was not great at the job. I am so grateful for all the things I learned through those struggles because now I feel confident in my role and have been able to successfully lead our program. At the time, I was disappointed in myself, especially because I wish I could have done better for the residents. Their residency would have been easier if I had been better equipped to mitigate and resolve conflict. I am forever grateful to those residents because they helped me become a better program director.
Q. Who was your hero/mentor and why?
A. Dr Iltefat Hamzavi has been an incredible mentor to me. When I was starting my career and getting involved in HS, he took me under his wing. Not only did he share his knowledge and experience, but he also helped connect me with the HS community of experts and got me involved with the HS Foundation. These connections have provided so many opportunities for me to collaborate, learn, and grow. Most of all, he is a role model for how to be a truly great person. He always puts patients first in everything and makes sure everyone remembers their purpose and seeks to be their best self. He is a mentor, advocate, promoter, and truly a guru, and he has made me a better dermatologist and person.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you have received and from whom?
A. I have gotten so much great advice from so many people over the years. I will go with my most recent impactful advice. I recently overcommitted myself with conferences, meetings, and speaking engagements. At one of the events, I mentioned that to my friend and amazing dermatologist, Joslyn Kirby. She helped me realize that I need to show myself a little grace by telling me, “That is how you figure out your limit. You went a little past it. Now you know what is too much.” It was simple advice but just what I needed to hear to shift out of self-criticism and back into a growth mindset.
Q. What is the greatest challenge in the field of medicine or dermatology?
A. I think the greatest challenge in dermatology, and medicine overall, is navigating and impacting the health care system. Science is advancing at an astounding rate, which makes our work easier with each new advancement. Patient care is fulfilling and allows us to achieve our purpose. But the greater system that influences the practice of medicine, such as access to care, prior authorizations, documentation burdens, diminishing reimbursements, and administrative tasks, all contribute to burnout and challenge our ability to continue practicing medicine. These challenges are profound, and many are outside of our direct control. I am glad that inspiring people are taking on these challenges, and technology will hopefully also reduce a lot of our administrative burdens. While it is challenging, things are not hopeless.
Q. What is currently most played on your music playlist?
A. “Be Kind” by Marshmello and Halsey. I have never actually checked before, and it was fun to find out my top track. I am not surprised: I love that song!
